I have travelled in Asia, and lived in Japan for a year teaching English. I spent two and a half years volunteering as a ‘wwoofer’ on organic farms around New Zealand, and four months wwoofing in Europe.

My lifelong interests in the environment and politics led me to stand as a candidate for the Green Party in Dunedin North electorate in the 2005 New Zealand general election.

I hold a BA in Phenomenology of Religion and Political Studies (1988) and a Dip Grad (Japanese language, 2000) both from the University of Otago. I completed a Certifcate in Publishing at Whitireia Community Polytechnic in 1995, and a Certificate in Celebrant Studies (Auckland University of Technology, 2006).